we are in a conversation about the word can't they say it is not a word i say it is. so is it or not
2007-03-02 18:38:54 · 6 answers · asked by karonsp 1 in Education & Reference ➔ Words & Wordplay
Cant is Can + not...... since we are omitting 'no' in the middle we use an apostrophe instead.
Modern dictionaries however, recognize cant as a word. If you write cant in MS Word 2003, you probably wont get a red line under it. Not many such words such as don't, couldn't etc are recognized by the dictionaries if they are without apostrophe
2007-03-02 18:53:18 · answer #1 · answered by Niv 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Without doubt "can't" is a word. It's made up of letters, has a meaning, and is listed in dictionaries. Therefore it fulfils the definition of a word. It's a contraction made from two words, a verb and a negative (by leaving out certain letters). We tend to use them more in spoken language.
2007-03-03 05:01:00 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
To the above replies, I'd say «can't» is more of a contration of «cannot», since the words «can» and «not» cannot exist beside each other.
Are contractions words? I think they are.
EDIT: Lol. nevermind. I'm wrong. 'can not' can exist. -__-"
http://www.askoxford.com/asktheexperts/faq/aboutspelling/cannot
2007-03-03 02:53:54 · answer #3 · answered by Presuntinho 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
no its two word can not
2007-03-06 06:40:00 · answer #4 · answered by RAGGYPANTS 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes can't means the same at can not.
2007-03-03 22:01:36 · answer #5 · answered by carmen111 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
can't is a contraction
2007-03-03 02:41:16 · answer #6 · answered by ORDtoSXM 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋